Giroud and Podolski try to prove their worth to Wenger. Source: Getty Images

WE might be two rounds into the Premier League season, but with the silly season still rumbling along, its impact on the 2013-2014 campaign is already leaving a mark.

Take a look at Wayne Rooney. The sub-plot to Manchester United's clash with Chelsea became the main focal point, with the England striker the best on ground on a night when Jose Mourinho signalled to Roman Abramovich his disapproval at his current striking stocks, leaving them all out.

Meanwhile, Juan Mata's absence has set the cat amongst the pigeons yet again, with many wondering why Chelsea's best over the past couple of seasons has been frozen out at Stamford Bridge.

The crowd lavished Rooney with support - enough that Mourinho fears it may yet convince him to stay at Old Trafford.

Former United defender Gary Neville, now a popular pundit in England, says letting Rooney go now would be "weak", particularly after professional and promising display.

"Wayne Rooney hasn't handed in a transfer request, he hasn't refused to play and in fact tonight has done everything but that. He's actually put in an incredible shift. All you can be is professional and the fact of the matter is that he respects the club's wishes," Neville said on Sky Sports.

"People come and try and pick up your players all the time, so you've got to stand there and be strong. When you say that you're not going to sell, you've got to mean that you're not going to sell or else you lose all your credibility and substance. That's what Manchester United are all about.

"I don't think they're going to sell Wayne Rooney in this next week because it will make them look weak - and they're not weak."

Rooney starred despite being the centre of so much paper talk, and the same happened at Craven Cottage on Saturday night, when Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud reminded the sceptics of their worth in Arsenal's line-up.

The call around the Emirates has been for Wenger to sign a centre back, a centre midfielder and a world class striker. But his German and French pair have snared five goals between them already this term.

Podolski, who was only a late sub against Aston Villa, returned in thunderous fashion against Fulham, reminding Wenger of his talents.

Indeed, he may persist with them unless he can bring in a world class replacement.

"I still am optimistic and I hope I will not disappoint you," Wenger said, speaking in the buildup to Tuesday's Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce. "We have not a fixed number [of signings in mind]. I just think we are a bit short at the moment.

"I'm guided by my conscience to do as well as I can for this club and by the vision of the game I want to play. I feel with the players I have I can play the football we want to play. I'm a great admirer of the spirit, the attitude of these players. They are special and if I want to add something it has to be special."

It's not just Podolski, Giroud and Rooney standing up in the face of transfer talk.

But a bolter from the pack emerging from the shadows of the Bale-Suarez-Rooney transfer saga has been Tottenham's Andreas Townsead.

The 22-year-old, who was playing a reserve fixture just at the beginning of last week, excelled in the Europa League on Friday and was a dazzling threat against Swansea, tormenting Jonjo Shelvey in particular.

After returning from a loan stint at Queens Park Rangers, his success is a pleasant addition for Andre Villas-Boas as he looks to replace the giant shoes of Gareth Bale.

"Townsend receives the ball with one objective," said Andre Villas-Boas in his post-match news conference. "To beat his man. He's really adding to our game, he has that light and spark. He's an explosive player. We gave him the opportunity after what he did to Dinamo Tbilisi and he took it very well."

Sturridge, meanwhile, is being hailed by his manager as a candidate to lead the line for England.

"If you look at Daniel Sturridge and what he has, as long as he continues and keeps his fitness, he would be a big threat for any team," Brendan Rodgers said.

The second round of the EPL saw lots of great goalkeeping. See the top 5 saves.

"You'd look at him and people would think he'd maybe be a Brazilian striker with his body physique and his pace and power. England are fortunate to have him because he's a big talent but he knows he needs to be consistent, he needs to get himself the games and the goals. I have got no doubt, though, that he will be a massive asset for England."

Rodgers has been responsible for some of the shrewdest summer business - at the other end of the field.

Simon Mignolet, the Reds' most expensive goalkeeper of all time after signing from Sunderland, has been a revelation, saving a penalty on the opening day, before making a couple of vital stops against Aston Villa on the weekend.

"You always say that a good goalkeeper saves you 10 points a season," Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.

"Last weekend he saved us two with the penalty [he saved in the 88th minute] so there's his first two. Against Villa he's made a terrific save at the end (against Christian Benteke) which may have gone in so if you want to count that as another two then he's up to four in the first two games. That's nothing against his teammates.

"I think it is important you've got a top keeper and we've got one at 25 now who's really hungry and wants to really play and improve. The best teams have the top goalkeepers."

The race to the deadline is on in earnest, but meanwhile, thankfully, we've got spectacular highlights to keep us entertained.

At the end of each round, we'll bring you the best video selection available online, with the best goals, saves, trick shots and more.

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